A uncommon imitation of a Carolingian gold coin worn as a pendant doubtless by a soldier within the Viking Nice Military that invaded England in 865 A.D. has been found in Norfolk. The sort of coin was made in workshops in Frisia (right now a part of the Netherlands) and all 22 of those imitation solidi present in Britain have been discovered alongside the route of the Nice Military. The one present in Norfolk is a comparatively prime quality instance.
The coin is an imitation of a gold solidus of Louis the Pious (r. 814-840), son of Charlemagne, minted round 816 when he was topped Holy Roman Empire. It’s thought-about one of many most interesting of all Carolingian cash and one of many rarest, with solely 4 confirmed examples recorded. The draped and laureate bust of Louis on the obverse is impressed by historic Roman points, like this 335 A.D. solidus of Constantine I. The inscription of the obverse is DN HLVDOVVICVS IMP ΛVG (which means “Our Lord Louis August Emperor” an imperial Roman type); the reverse inscription is MVNVS DIVINVM (“Divine Reward”), referring to the wreath/crown or to the cross within it.
The Frisian imitations have been made a lot later than the originals. Many of the examples have been present in coin hoards relationship to the 870s-880s, and they’re very tough with crude define portrait busts and hen scratch inscriptions that hardly have discernible letters. The earliest examples present in hoards deposited within the 840s and 850s are of notably increased high quality. The Norfolk discover falls into the latter class.
It’s worn, however you’ll be able to see that the portrait bust captures Louis’ straight, lengthy nostril, laurel wreath, moustache and outstanding chin. The inscription can also be near the unique, studying “DNI HVVD [O] VS H IM AVG.” The reverse get even nearer to the inscription: “C MVNVS DIVINVM IS.” The superfluous C and S are misinterpretations of the ties on the unique coin’s wreath.
The coin has a double piercing above the pinnacle on the obverse, one bigger perforation with a smaller one under it and barely to the aspect. These holes are on the 4 o’clock place on the reverse, which exhibits it was worn with the obverse aspect dealing with the viewer.
The coin pendant is at the moment going by the Treasure course of but it surely’s a foregone conclusion due to its age and valuable steel content material. As soon as it’s declared Treasure, the Norwich Citadel Museum is hoping to accumulate it.
